The Awadhi Jamdani is an intricate and fine weaving technique, honed for centuries in the ancient city of Varanasi to become a sought after craft the world over. The weave is particularly well known for how it allows light and shadow to interact with the fabric, giving it its unique appearance.

The word Jamdani originates from the Persian words jama (rope) and dan (receptacle). The jamdani weave migrated from Bengal, travelled to Varanasi and Tanda in Uttar Pradesh where it assumed its present form as we know it today. The Awadhi Jamdani became popular among the royal families of Varanasi and the Nawabs of Awadh. The craft particularly flourished under the reign of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah before becoming the preserve of the king of Ayodhya.

The book, Handmade for the 21st Century-Safeguarding Traditional Indian Textiles, by Ritu Sethi (Chairperson of the Craft Revival Trust), documents fascinating white-on-white cotton-muslin weaves from this tradition. Jadunath Supakar, a textile artist, helped revive the Awadhi Jamdani tradition. His new ideas were inspired by the Santiniketan and Kalamkari textile traditions and Indian textile conservator, curator and revivalist, Martand Singh. Sribhas Chandra Supakar, the son of Jadunath Supakar, continues the good work.